2024 Youth Retreat Registration is NOW OPEN!
Retreats empower T1D youth to overcome obstacles and develop coping mechanisms for living with the disease, and the skills and experience to become the best version of themselves!
ICD retreats involve overnight lodging, engaging skill development activities and team building opportunities. Coaching is provided within a robust, collaborative peer group, tailored to suit a variety of interest areas: Adventure, Leadership, Skills, and Diabetes Management.
ICD has run over 100 overnight retreats for people with T1D so far and served thousands across the whole age spectrum! Most people come away feeling as though they had not just achieved something during their retreat, but that they have been able to reframe their diabetes and themselves in a very positive light.
“I learned how to manage my diabetes better and if I have questions ICD is there to help me.” – Retreat Participant
May 17-19, 2024
Vancouver Island Retreat
Prospect Lake, Victoria BC
This event is open to high school, post secondary students and young adults with type 1 diabetes, ages 14+. Those interested in bringing a friend without T1D are welcome to! There will be separate sleeping accommodation for male/female identifying participants.
May 24-26, 2023
Rocky Mountain House Retreat
Hela Ventures, RMH AB
Develop your skills as you take part in challenging outdoor activities. This unique program provides opportunities to connect with others, like you, with type 1 diabetes. With ICD’s expert knowledge, enthusiastic instructors, and exciting activities you are sure to walk away with a deeper understanding of your potential.
June 7-9, 2024
Coldwater Spring Retreat
Sugar Valley Farm, Coldwater ON
Each retreat is unique to the area. Our programming will utilize the unique features of the site and available activities. Be prepared to be outside in various weather conditions and to work closely with your peers and the ICD leadership team. Activities will emphasize our natural leadership abilities and explore areas to develop.
October 11-13, 2024
Coldwater Fall Retreat
Sugar Valley Farm, Coldwater ON
Whether you are talking by the campfire or challenging yourself to try something new, this program will allow you to connect with others and build lifelong friendships.
November 8-10, 2024
Saskatchewan Retreat
This unique program provides opportunities to connect with others, like you, with type 1 diabetes. With ICD’s expert knowledge, enthusiastic instructors, and exciting activities you are sure to walk away with a deeper understanding of your potential.
Retreats are held once or twice/year and include follow-up coaching/mentoring support for participants to assist in their progression and engage in community activities. 76% of our participants reported increased confidence taking on leadership roles!
The improvements to T1D youth in quality of life when a mentor is present are staggering. And, our mentors create more mentors – over 90% return as mentors within 1 year!
“ICD’s Leadership Retreats help people like me learn how to live with diabetes and feel less alone, which is so important because diabetes can be very isolating. I learned that stepping up can help my peers, too!” – Retreat Participant
We have yet to have a retreat where participants of any age are not upset when it is over… because it is over. The time you commit to attending a retreat with ICD is powerful!
Retreats vary from the luxurious lodge with comfy beds, heat, and all amenities to wilderness conditions where we sleep in tents – or even build our own structures! In each case, ICD ensures that each participant is well taken care of with the right gear. We lend out proper sleeping bags, thermarests, and any other equipment we can to make attending our retreats a positive experience! We have developed strategies to ensure that diabetes is managed well (maybe even better than at home!) despite the unique conditions that challenge every step of the way.
“I truly want to make a positive impact on other diabetics lives. This is a passion that is becoming more apparent the more I get connected.” – Retreat Participant
Thank you to our sponsors and partners for supporting this program!
